Supporter in the Spotlight

Freddie Q&A

Q: What was your first overseas Test match?A: Melbourne 2002. It was great to visit the MCG with the old pavilion still in place and before it became a complete concrete bowl.

Q: What is your most memorable overseas Test match you’ve seen?A: A few stand out. The first Test win in Sydney in 2003 is up there, as is the Stuart Broad inspired win in J’Burg, but it has to be the two wins in Mumbai in 2006 and 2012. Two great wins in a magnificent city and in a country where England rarely win.

Q: Who is your favourite current England player?A: Alastair Cook. An outstanding batsman and an excellent captain who was given an unfair ride by some.

Q: Who is your favourite England player of all time?

A: Graham Thorpe. It was an absolute honour and privilege to interview him last year. How good would he be in our middle order right now!

Q: Who is your favourite opposition player of all time?A: Sangakarra. An outstanding batsman in all formats of the game. Met him in a restaurant in Kandy in 2007, he’d been scoring hundreds for fun that year, a conversation on batting and the following morning he was out for nought. Marvellous.

Q: What is your favourite overseas Test ground any why?A: The Adelaide Oval. Loved it before its development and still love it after.

Q: Which country is your favourite to tour and why?A: India. I love pretty everything about the country and the passion of the people for cricket is unrivalled. Three tours and yet to get the $hits. Just a magical country. Oh, except for its food...

Q: Of all the cities/towns you visited on tour, which is your favourite?A: Galle in Sri Lanka and Unawattuna – my favourite beach in the world.

Q: What is your most memorable non cricket moment on tour?A: There’s two. India 2006. SP and I only did the Mumbai Test while the rest of the group had been out there the week before. The night before flying out SP and I were having some drinks in Windsor when the call came through from India begging us to bring out Imodium! Then South Africa 2004. The first tour of the Addis and Wycombe and the ceiling fan. How many times has Wycombe been mentioned in the answer to this question?!

Q: What do you enjoy most about touring?A: Being with friends, making new friends and speaking with locals about cricket, especially in India and the West Indies.